Philosophical Concepts in Physics

Book cover of Philosophical Concepts in Physics: The Historical Relation Between Philosophy and Scientific Theories

Book description

This book examines a selection of philosophical issues in the context of specific episodes in the development of physical theories. Advances in science are presented against the historical and philosophical backgrounds in which they occurred. A major aim is to impress upon the reader the essential role that philosophical considerations…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Philosophical Concepts in Physics as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Marc Lange

Author

This book is a beautiful discussion of a theme that runs through my book as well: the intimate relations between conceptual innovations in physics and developments in philosophy. Cushing (a longtime professor of physics and philosophy at Notre Dame) organizes his survey historically and aims to show how time and time again, metaphysical and epistemological considerations have played important roles in scientific advances. I don’t believe that there is a sharp distinction between physics and the philosophy of physics. Cushing’s elegant and accessible book bears this out.

From Marc's list on the philosophy of physics.